CORTLAND, NY (607NewsNow) — A federally-funded position has been filled by the Cortland Police Department.

Officer Joseph Peters was chosen Tuesday, Feb. 3 for the role of Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS, that’s being funded for four years. Peters is a 20-year veteran of Cortland’s police force and takes over for Officer Jesse Abbot, who held the role from 2017 to 2021.

“The COPS grant was awarded in 2024 and includes a minimum four-year commitment, with 50 percent of an officer’s salary matched for the first three years. Due to staffing level challenges, the department was unable to fill the position immediately and received grant waivers for 2024 and 2025, allowing the opportunity to fill the role at this time,” Cortland Police said.

Chief David Guerrera says Peters has the “drive, enthusiasm, and experience to make the most of the COPS position.”